Agri-Drone Services – a Complete Overview of the Possibilities
When most people hear "agri drone", the first thing they imagine is spraying. And while drone spraying is indeed the most popular service, modern agricultural drones like the DJI Agras T50 are capable of much more. At AirAgro we offer a full range of agri-drone services that cover various needs of the modern farmer.
In this article we will look at each service in detail – what it includes, who it is suitable for and what benefits it brings to your farm.
Spraying with an Agri Drone
What It Involves
Spraying is the main and most sought-after service for agricultural drones. The process involves aerial application of liquid preparations – herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and foliar fertilisers – directly onto the crops.
The DJI Agras T50 has a 40-litre tank and 8 nozzles that provide uniform coverage with precisely controlled droplet size. Thanks to the powerful rotors, the airflow created lifts the leaves and allows the preparation to reach the underside as well – something that ground sprayers rarely achieve.
Types of Treatment
All standard types of spraying can be carried out with an agricultural drone:
Herbicide treatment – weed control in the early development stages of the crop. The drone can operate on wet soil when a tractor cannot enter the field.
Fungicide treatment – prevention and treatment of fungal diseases. Particularly effective for wheat (against powdery mildew, rust, septoria), barley and rapeseed.
Insecticide treatment – rapid response to pest infestations. The speed of the drone is of decisive importance here – the faster treatment is applied, the smaller the damage.
Desiccation – drying the crop before harvest for uniform ripening.
For more detailed information on crop protection, read our article on drone for crop protection.
Who Is It Suitable For
Drone spraying is suitable for all types of farms – from small family operations to large agricultural holdings. It is especially useful when:
- Wet conditions prevent ground machinery from entering
- Tall maize or other tall crops
- Hilly terrain
- Emergency treatments where timing is critical
- Areas without convenient access for heavy machinery
Learn more about the full process of drone spraying and what to expect.
Fertilising with an Agri Drone
What It Involves
In addition to liquid preparations, the DJI Agras T50 can also spread granular fertilisers via a specialised spreading module. This module is mounted in place of the liquid tank and allows precise aerial application of granular fertilisers directly from above.
Advantages Over Traditional Fertilising
Uniform distribution – the drone follows a precise GPS route and spreads fertiliser at a constant rate, without gaps or overlaps. This is a significant improvement compared to manual or semi-mechanised fertilising.
No soil compaction – the tractor-mounted spreader compacts the soil with every pass. The drone flies at 3–5 metres height and does not affect the physical properties of the soil.
Feeding of a growing crop – when the crop is already tall and the tractor cannot enter without damage, the drone is the only effective solution for applying granular fertiliser.
Speed – the drone can cover 150–200 decares per hour when fertilising, which is considerably faster than ground methods.
Types of Fertilisers Suitable for Drone Application
- Ammonium nitrate
- Urea (carbamide)
- Compound NPK fertilisers in granular form
- Potassium and phosphorus fertilisers
- Specialised microelement granules
Practical Scenarios for Bulgarian Farmers
In Bulgarian agriculture, drone fertilising is especially useful in the following situations:
- Early spring topdressing of wheat – when fields are still wet from winter precipitation and tractors get stuck
- Maize topdressing at 6–8 leaf stage – when the crop is already too tall for ground machinery
- Fertilising on sloping terrain – in foothill and mountain areas, where tractors cannot safely operate
- Rapid feeding under stress conditions – drought, hail or other adverse conditions
Crop Mapping and Monitoring
What It Involves
Drone mapping is a service that is gaining increasing importance in precision agriculture. Through specialised cameras and sensors, the drone photographs the field and creates detailed maps showing the condition of the crops.
Types of Mapping
Orthophoto maps – high-resolution images of the field from which an accurate map is created. They allow you to see every section of the field in detail.
NDVI maps – vegetation index maps showing the health of the plants. Green zones mean healthy plants, yellow and red ones – problem areas.
Differential application maps – based on NDVI data, maps are created showing where more fertiliser or preparation is needed and where less. This is the foundation of precision agriculture.
Benefits of Mapping
Early detection of problems – diseases, weeds, nutrient deficiency – all these problems are visible on the maps before they become visible to the naked eye.
Resource optimisation – instead of treating the entire field with a uniform dose, you can apply more preparation or fertiliser only where needed.
Documentation – maps serve as documentation of the field condition at different points in the season. Useful for planning and for participation in subsidy programmes.
Damage assessment – after hail, flooding or other disasters, drone mapping provides an objective assessment of the affected area.
Combined Services – Maximum Effectiveness
The real value of agri-drone services is revealed when you combine them. Here is an example of a full seasonal package:
Spring
- Mapping of the fields to assess condition after winter
- Fertilising with ammonium nitrate for early topdressing of wheat
- Herbicide spraying when conditions permit
Summer
- NDVI monitoring for early detection of diseases
- Fungicide spraying when necessary
- Insecticide treatment upon pest infestation
End of Season
- Mapping for yield assessment before harvest
- Desiccation when required
This comprehensive approach not only optimises costs but also ensures consistent and timely crop management throughout the entire season.
Why Choose AirAgro for Your Drone Services
Professional Team
Our pilots are certified and have completed specialised training for operating agri drones. We know the specific features of Bulgarian agriculture and can advise you on the optimal approach.
Modern Equipment
We work with the DJI Agras T50 – the industry-leading model that combines large capacity with exceptional precision. For details on the DJI Agras T50 specifications, see our specialised article.
Coverage Throughout Bulgaria
We serve farms in key agricultural regions of the country:
- Plovdiv and Plovdiv Province – the Thracian Plain with intensive cereal and vegetable production
- Stara Zagora – a rich agricultural district with diverse crops
- Pazardzhik – cereal and vegetable farms
- Haskovo – viticulture, orcharding and arable crop farms
- Dobrudzha – vast areas of wheat, sunflower and maize
- Thrace – fertile soils and favourable climate
Whether your farm is in flat or hilly country, our team reaches you with full equipment.
Flexible Packages
We offer both individual treatments and seasonal subscriptions. For information on drone spraying prices, contact us for a personalised quote.
Full Accountability
After every treatment you receive a detailed report with a map of the treated area, parameters and amount used. This transparency guarantees you know exactly what is happening on your field.
How the Process Works – How an Agricultural Drone Works
Ordering an agri-drone service from AirAgro is easy:
- Request – contact us and describe your needs
- Consultation – our agronomist advises you on the optimal approach
- Planning – we set a date and time, prepare the route
- Execution – our team arrives and carries out the treatment
- Report – you receive full documentation of the work done
The Future of Agricultural Drone Services
Technologies in agri drones are developing rapidly. In the near future we can expect:
- Artificial intelligence for automatic disease and weed recognition
- Real-time differential spraying – the drone treats only problem zones
- Integration with IoT field sensors for more accurate monitoring
- Autonomous drone fleets for processing vast areas
AirAgro closely follows these trends and continuously updates its equipment and services to offer clients the best available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What agri-drone services does AirAgro offer?
AirAgro offers three main services: spraying (herbicide, fungicide, insecticide treatment and foliar feeding), fertilising with granular fertilisers from the air and mapping with NDVI for crop monitoring. All services are performed with the DJI Agras T50 in the Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Pazardzhik, Haskovo, Dobrudzha and Thrace regions.
Can I combine several services in one package?
Yes, we offer seasonal subscriptions including mapping, fertilising and spraying. Combined packages are more cost-effective than individual treatments and provide comprehensive care for your farm throughout the entire season.
How quickly can you respond to an urgent need for treatment?
In emergency situations – mass pest infestations or aggressive diseases – we respond within 24–48 hours. The DJI Agras T50 processes up to 200 decares per hour, allowing a rapid response even for large areas.
Are drone services suitable for small farms?
Yes, we work with areas from 20 decares upwards. For small farms in Plovdiv, Pazardzhik and Stara Zagora areas we also offer the option of combining neighbouring areas for a more favourable price per decare.
How can I get a quote for services?
Contact us for a free consultation – we will carry out an inspection of your farm and propose a personalised treatment plan. You receive the quote within 24 hours, with no obligation on your part.
Request a Free Consultation and Farm Inspection
Are you ready to make your farm more efficient and modern? AirAgro's agri-drone services are your path to better yields, lower costs and more sustainable farming.
Request a free consultation:
- Visit airagro.bg or call us
- Receive a free farm inspection and treatment plan
- Choose the services that meet your needs – spraying, fertilising, mapping or a seasonal subscription
- Book a drone demonstration on your field
Don't delay the modernisation of your farm. Farmers from Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Dobrudzha and throughout Thrace are already benefiting from our services – contact AirAgro today and find out how a free consultation can be your first step towards a more successful season.
